Opinion: Be prepared to be amazed

Brittany K. Hopp

I’ve learned that remarkable people aren’t rare. They’re all around us. The challenge is creating enough opportunities to discover them.

Years ago, introducing myself to someone felt intimidating. I spent more time wondering what I should say than thinking about the person standing in front of me. As life became busier, a different challenge appeared. My calendar filled with meaningful work, yet it became easier to let conversations wait until “someday.”

Over time, I learned something about myself.

If I don’t create opportunities to meet people, they rarely happen on their own.

That realization changed the way I approach relationships and leadership.

Instead of hoping meaningful conversations would naturally fit into my schedule, I started building small systems that made them part of my life.

Prioritize humans
One of the best pieces of Gallup advice I’ve ever received was simple: Find ways to put people on your list.

At first, it sounded like simple calendar advice.

It eventually became a philosophy for how I build relationships.

I read our local publications carefully (no, Springfield Business Journal did not pay me to say this!) and, sure, I still read the announcements. I just spend a little more time thinking about the people behind them. And then I act.

I’ll regularly send handwritten congratulations cards or follow up with a personalized email.

Sometimes that becomes lunch or coffee.

Sometimes a company tour.

Sometimes a trail walk or an event invite.

Each one becomes another opportunity to meet someone I might never have known otherwise.

Journalist Celeste Headlee built on that idea in her 2016 TED Talk on having better conversations by encouraging us to become genuinely interested in other people because “everyone has some hidden amazing thing about them.” One of my favorites is: “I’m always prepared to be amazed, and I’m never disappointed.”

I’ve found the same thing to be true.

The more people I meet, the more remarkable people I discover.

Business owners solving difficult problems.

Nonprofit leaders serving our community.

Leaders earning recognition after years of unseen effort.

New professionals finding their voice.

Volunteers quietly making life better for someone else.

Remarkable people rarely introduce themselves as remarkable. You discover them one conversation at a time.

Our community is full of remarkable people. I just needed better reasons to put people on my list. And now that I’m doing it, it has become one of the most rewarding habits I’ve ever built.

How to create your own system
If this feels intimidating — or if life simply feels too full right now—you don’t have to start big. The good news is, it’s doable.  Start with one small reason to begin a conversation.

• Read one local publication a little more carefully
• Follow up with someone whose story caught your attention
• Send one congratulations note or email each week
• Invite someone to coffee
• Borrow one great idea and make it your own

Small systems create opportunities.

Opportunities create conversations.

Conversations become relationships.

Relationships change the way you experience your community.

What I’ve learned
I’ve discovered that the most valuable part of our community isn’t found in the headlines, awards, or announcements. It’s the people behind them.

Creating simple systems to meet those people has given me friendships, ideas, perspective, encouragement, and a much deeper appreciation for the place I’m fortunate enough to call home.

So, the next time you open a local publication, attend a community event, or accept an invitation for coffee, look for the people. Someone in that room has a story you’ve never heard before.

And if you’re prepared to be amazed, I believe you will be.

Andrea Battaglia is the chief excellence officer at Abacus in Springfield. She can be reached at abattaglia@abacuspro.com.